GAUTIER, Mississippi -- Gautier police and members of the Fire Fighters Association served as Santa's Helper's Saturday night at Liberty Assembly of God Church where nearly 150 parents and children enjoyed a Christmas dinner of turkey, dressing and all the trimmings.

Following dinner, the children gathered in the church's worship center where they were welcomed by Rev. David Watson and received a Christmas bag of gifts. City Manager Samantha Abell and her family were among those who assisted.

"I just can't wait to see the children's faces," said Peggy Roddey, a volunteer from Ocean Springs, who was working her first "Angel Christmas Tree" event, the second for the church that has partnered with the city's police and fire departments to put the event together.

Toys were collected at six locations in Gautier in the days preceding the gathering. "We had a good response to the toy collection," said volunteer Jan McQuillen.

Coordinators were Valorie Barnes and Gautier Police Chaplain Diane Schmid. Debbie Lauren organized the kitchen and dinner, while men and women from the church helped prepare the food.

"We were happy to have the involvement of the city," Barnes said.

The church has run a food pantry since Hurricane Katrina, and the dinner, now an annual affair, was an extension of helping those who are less fortunate.